UAV with In-Flight Adjustable Wings

ABSTRACT

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has a fuselage, a rotor system, and a wing configured for selective positioning during flight of the UAV to a fully deployed position, a fully stowed position, and to positions between the fully deployed position and the fully stowed position.

BACKGROUND

Some aircraft, such as, but not limited to, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs), comprise wings configured to expand or otherwise deploy uponlaunch or takeoff of the UAVs. Also, some aircraft, such as, but notlimited to, UAVs, comprise coaxial counter-rotating rotors systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 an oblique view of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) according toan embodiment of this disclosure in an airplane mode of operation.

FIG. 2 is another oblique view of the UAV of FIG. 1 in the airplane modeof operation.

FIG. 3 is an oblique view of the UAV of FIG. 1 in a helicopter mode ofoperation.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a Power and Control System (PCS) of theUAV of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5-7 are schematic views of an adjustable wing of the UAV of FIG. 1in various states of deployment.

FIGS. 8-10 are schematic views of an alternative embodiment of anadjustable wing of the UAV of FIG. 1 in various states of deployment.

FIG. 11 is an oblique view of a portion of the adjustable wing of FIGS.8-10.

FIG. 12 is an oblique view of a rotor system of the UAV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is an orthogonal side view of the rotor system of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an oblique exploded view of the rotor system of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is another orthogonal side view of the rotor system of FIG. 12showing a blade assembly in a cocked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the embodiments are described below. In theinterest of clarity, all features of an actual implementation may not bedescribed in this specification. It will of course be appreciated thatin the development of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationshipsbetween various components and to the spatial orientation of variousaspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attacheddrawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the artafter a complete reading of the present disclosure, the devices,members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in anydesired orientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,”“upper,” “lower,” or other like terms to describe a spatial relationshipbetween various components or to describe the spatial orientation ofaspects of such components should be understood to describe a relativerelationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspectsof such components, respectively, as the device described herein may beoriented in any desired direction.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the drawings, a UAV 100 according to thepresent disclosure is illustrated in an airplane mode of operation. TheUAV 100 generally comprises a fuselage 102, adjustable wings 104,movable tail extensions 106, and a coaxial counter-rotating rotor system200. Most generally, UAV 100 can be selectively operated in an airplanemode (see FIGS. 1 and 2), a helicopter mode (see FIG. 3), and transitionmodes therebetween during which the UAV 100 can selectively switchbetween the airplane mode and the helicopter mode during flight. In someembodiments, the UAV 100 can selectively remain in a transition flightmode for a period of time longer than necessary to switch between theairplane mode and the helicopter mode. UAV 100 can be referred to ascomprising a three-dimensional coordinate system comprising a first axis110, a second axis 112 orthogonal relative to the first axis 110, and athird axis 114 is normal to a plane shared by the first axis 110 and thesecond axis 112. The first axis 110 extends generally along a length ofthe UAV 100 and substantially parallel to a length of the fuselage 102.The second axis 112 extends generally parallel to a length or span ofthe adjustable wings 104. When the UAV 100 is operating in the airplanemode, the first axis 110 is generally associated with a forward-rearwarddirectionality, the second axis 112 is generally associated with a left-and right directionality, and the third axis 114 is generally associatedwith an up-down directionality. However, because UAV 100 can operate ina variety of orientations, is further helpful to understand that whenthe UAV 100 is operating in the helicopter mode, the first axis 110 isgenerally associated with an up-down directionality while the secondaxis 112 and the third axis 114 are generally associated with lateraldirections.

The UAV 100 further comprises a Power and Control System (PCS) 116. ThePCS 116 comprises the components necessary to power and selectivelycontrol operation of the UAV 100 as a whole. More specifically, the PCS116 comprises components configured to selectively power and control atleast the rotor system 200 and the adjustable wings 104 (each beingdiscussed in greater detail below). PCS 116 comprises a battery 118 forproviding electrical energy to power one or more components of the UAV100. PCS 116 comprises at least one wing actuator 120 configured toselectively adjust one or more of the adjustable wings 104. The PCS 116further comprises an inner drive motor 122 and an outer drive motor 124.The inner drive motor 122 can be powered by the battery 118 toselectively provide rotational power to one of the two independentlydriven blade assemblies of the rotor system 200. The outer drive motor124 can be powered by the battery 118 to selectively provide rotationalpower to the other one of the two independently driven blade assembliesof the rotor system 200. In this embodiment, the inner drive motor 122is associated with an inner shaft (discussed in detail below) and theouter drive motor 124 is associated with an outer shaft (discussed indetail below) through which the inner shaft 204 is received. In thisembodiment, the movable tail extensions 106 that extend generallyhorizontally when the UAV 100 is in the airplane mode of operation arecapable of moving in a manner substantially similar to ailerons and/orcomprise ailerons. Similarly, the movable tail extensions 106 thatextend generally vertically when the UAV 100 is in the airplane mode ofoperation are capable of moving in a manner substantially similar torudders and/or comprise rudders. Accordingly, the PCS 116 comprises tailextension actuators 135 configured to selectively actuate the movabletail extensions 106. Still further, the PCS 116 comprises swashplateactuators 137 configured to selectively provide the cocking movement ofthe swashplate 236 as described in greater detail below.

The PCS 116 further comprises a Flight Control Computer (FCC) 126configured to manage the overall operation of the UAV 100. The FCC 126is configured to receive inputs from flight sensors 128 such as, but notlimited to, gyroscopes, accelerometers, and/or any other suitablesensing equipment configured to provide the FCC 126 with spatial,positional, and/or force dynamics information, data, and/or feedbackthat can be utilized to manage the flight and/or operation of the UAV100. In some embodiments, PCS 116 comprises Global Positioning System(GPS) components 130 configured to determine, receive, and/or providedata related to the location of the UAV 100 and/or flight destinations,targets, no-fly zones, preplanned routes, flight paths, and/or any othergeospatial location related information. The GPS components 130 can beconfigured for bidirectional communication with the FCC 126,unidirectional communication with the FCC 126 being configured toreceive information from the GPS components 130, or unidirectionalcommunication with the FCC 126 being configured to provide informationto the GPS components 130. In some embodiments, PCS 116 compriseswireless communication components 132, such as, but not limited to,radio communication equipment configured to send and/or receive signalsrelated to flight commands and/or other operational information.

The wireless communication components 132 can be configured to transmitvideo, audio, and/or other data gathered, observed, and/or informationotherwise generated, carried by, and/or obtained by the UAV 100. In somecases, a payload 134 of the PCS 116 can comprise a video camera, thermalcamera, infrared imaging device, chemical sensor configured to determinea presence and/or concentration of a chemical, a weapon, and/or anyother suitable payload. In some cases, the payload 134 can be configuredto provide information or data to the FCC 126 and the FCC 126 can beconfigured to control and/or manipulate the payload 134. While notshown, each of the components of PCS 116 that require electrical energyto operate can be powered by the battery 118. In alternativeembodiments, the battery 118 can be replaced and/or supplemented withother sources of electricity, such as, but not limited to, capacitors,photovoltaic solar cells, fuel cells, and/or any other system orcomponent configurable to provide electrical energy to components of theUAV 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, partial schematic views of the UAV 100 areshown with a left side adjustable wing 104 in various states ofdeployment. FIG. 5 shows an adjustable wing 104 in a fully deployedconfiguration. The adjustable wing 104 generally comprises a flexiblewing skin 136, a root arm 138 movably connected to the fuselage 102, andan extension arm 140 movably connected to the root arm 138. In thisembodiment, the wing skin 136 comprises latex and/or natural rubber.However, in other embodiments, any other suitable flexible material maybe used that is relatively lightweight, bendable, stretchable, and/orotherwise well-suited for serving as a stowable, foldable, and/orcrushable skin of a wing. In this embodiment, the wing skin 136 isconfigured to allow repeated bunching, folding, and bending of the wingskin 136 so as to allow deployment and retraction of the adjustablewings 104 without substantially compromising wing skin 136 material.

While the wing skin 136 is shown in FIGS. 1-3, the wing skin 136 issubstantially hidden (but outlined with dashed lines) in FIGS. 5-7 toallow viewing of the root arm 138 and the extension arm 140. In someembodiments, the wing skin 136 can be formed as a sack-like structurethat receives the root arm 138 and the extension arm 140. In otherembodiments, the wing skin 136 can comprise substantially a single layerof material. Regardless of the structure of the wing skin 136, the wingskin 136 is attached to and/or tethered at appropriate locations alongthe fuselage 102, the root arm 138, and/or the extension arm 140 so thatupon full extension and/or deployment of the adjustable wing 104, apredetermined aerodynamic surface is provided to enhance lift of the UAV100 while the UAV 100 is in the airplane mode of operation.

In this embodiment, the root arm 138 is pinned and rotatably connectedto the fuselage 102 using a pin 142 and a bearing 144. The root arm 138comprises a connection aperture 146 configured to receive a linkage tothe wing actuator 120 so that when the wing actuator 120 is actuated,the linkage forces rotation of the root arm 138 about the pin 142. Insome cases, biasing mechanisms, such as, but not limited to, torsionsprings can be utilized to rotationally bias the root arm 138 in adeployed configuration (see FIG. 5) and/or a stowed configuration (seeFIG. 7). In some cases, an elasticity of the wing skin 136 may besufficient to bias the root arm 138 toward the stowed configuration.Similarly, extension arm 140 that is movably connected to the root arm138 using a pin 148 may be rotationally biased relative to the root arm138 about the pin 148.

In this embodiment, the root arm 138 comprises a leading profile 150that generally serves to form the shape of the leading-edge of theadjustable wing 104. As mentioned above, in some embodiments the leadingprofile 150 may be covered by wing skin 136 (in the case of thesack-like wing skin structure). However in alternative embodiments wherethe wing skin 136 comprises a single layer of material that is notdoubled over itself to form a sack, the wing skin 136 may be attached toa trailing profile 152 of the root arm 138. In such a case, the wingskin 136 may similarly be attached to an inner profile 154 of theextension arm 140 rather than wrapping around an outer profile 156 ofthe extension arm 140. In some embodiments, a selectively engaged brake,lock, and/or rigid linkage configuration can prevent unwanted stowingand/or retraction of the adjustable wing 104 from the deployedconfiguration.

To stow the adjustable wing 104 or to otherwise reduce an aerodynamiclift area of the adjustable wing 104, any engaged brake or lock may bereleased and a distal end 158 of the extension arm 140 can be movedtoward the rear of the fuselage 102. In some embodiments, the movementof the extension arm 140 can be effectuated by operating the wingactuator 120 and a direction opposite to that utilized to deploy theadjustable wing 104. Further, the distal end 158 of the extension arm140 may be pulled toward the rear of the fuselage 102 using a spool ofstring, cable, and/or elastic cord. It will be appreciated that whilethe embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-7 stow and/or fold and store theadjustable wings 104 to a position adjacent an exterior of the fuselage102, in alternative embodiments, a slot, channel or other receptacle maybe provided on the fuselage 102 to allow at least a portion of the wingskin 136, root arm 138, and/or extension arm 140 to be received withinthe fuselage 102.

In operation, UAV 100 can be initially stored in a small box, backpack,or sack with the adjustable wings 104 in a stowed or retracted position.Once the UAV 100 is removed from storage, a desired configuration ofinitial operation can be selected, namely, airplane mode or helicoptermode. In some cases, a mode of operation in between airplane mode andhelicopter mode can be selected as an initial operation. In cases wherean initial mode of operation in helicopter mode is desired, the PCS 116can control acceleration of the rotor system 200 and the UAV 100 maytake flight substantially vertically. After taking off in helicoptermode, the FCC 126 of the PCS 116 can cause actuation of the wingactuators 120 to deploy the adjustable wings 104 as shown in FIG. 5.With the adjustable wings 104 deployed, the FCC 126 can control therotor system 200 to pull the UAV 100 into the airplane mode orientationshown in FIG. 1 from the helicopter mode orientation shown in FIG. 3. Insome cases, the UAV 100 can be launched from a first location in thehelicopter mode, convert midair to the airplane mode, fly to a newlocation (in some cases at least partially guided by GPS coordinatesinterpreted by the GPS components 130), and subsequently reconvert tohelicopter mode at the new location.

While at the new location, the UAV 100 can utilize onboard equipment,such as, but not limited to, payload 134 cameras to conduct surveillanceand record and/or transmit information regarding the surveillance usingthe wireless communication components 132. After conducting thesurveillance or otherwise completing a mission at the new location, theUAV 100 can once again convert to airplane mode and selectively returnto the site of the launch and/or any other desired location within therange of the UAV 100. Of course, in alternative embodiments of operationmethodology, the UAV 100 can be launched in airplane mode and canselectively switch between modes of operation as desired or necessary.

In some cases, an example of a necessary switch from airplane mode tohelicopter mode may be in response to flight sensors 128 providingfeedback to FCC 126 regarding gusts of wind, heavy rainfall, and/orother environmental flight encumbrances that are determined to preventsuccessful, safe, and/or efficient flight between locations. In responseto undesirable flight conditions, the UAV 100 may convert to helicoptermode and automatically land itself upright on the movable tailextensions 106. Once the FCC 126 determines sufficiently favorableflying conditions, the UAV 100 may launch itself using helicopter modeand again convert to airplane mode to continue travelling to a desiredlocation.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, partial schematic views of the UAV 100 areshown with a left side adjustable wing 104 in various states ofdeployment. However, in this embodiment, the adjustable wing 104comprises a flexible wing skin 136, a leading arm 160 movably connectedto the fuselage 102, and a spar 162 that is also movable connected tothe fuselage 102. In this embodiment, the leading arm 160 and the spar162 are pinned and rotatably connected to the fuselage 102 using a pin142 and a bearing 144. The leading arm 160 comprises a connectionaperture 146 configured to receive a linkage to the wing actuator 120 sothat when the wing actuator 120 is actuated, the linkage forces rotationof the leading arm 160 about the pin 142. In some cases, biasingmechanisms, such as, but not limited to, torsion springs can be utilizedto rotationally bias the leading arm 160 in a deployed configuration(see FIG. 8) and/or a stowed configuration (see FIG. 10). In some cases,an elasticity of the wing skin 136 may be sufficient to bias the leadingarm 160 toward the stowed configuration. Similarly, spar 162 that ismovably connected to the leading arm 160 and fuselage 102 may berotationally biased relative to the leading arm 160 about the pin 142.

In this embodiment, the leading arm 160 comprises a leading profile 164that generally serves to form the shape of the leading-edge of theadjustable wing 104. As mentioned above, in some embodiments the leadingprofile 164 may be covered by wing skin 136 (in the case of thesack-like wing skin structure). In this embodiment, a slot, channel orother receptacle is provided on the fuselage 102 to allow at least aportion of the wing skin 136, leading arm 160, and/or spar 162 to bereceived within the fuselage 102. Further, the relative rotation of thespar 162 relative to the leading arm 160 is limited by the action of atab 166 that extends from the spar 162 into a complementary slot 168 ofthe leading arm 160 (see FIG. 11). Utilizing the slot 168, the leadingarm 160 can be rotated about the pin 142 to the fully deployed positionand a known relative angular rotation about the pin 142 will be allowedbefore the tab 166 contacts an end of the slot 168, thereby causingrotation and deployment of both the leading arm 160 and the spar 162 ata same rate and while maintaining a known angular offset between theleading arm 160 and the spar 162 about the pin 142. The same slot 168allows for the leading arm 160 to be stowed at least partially beneaththe spar 162 when the leading arm 160 and the spar 162 are in the fullystowed position. Operation of the UAV 100 comprising the adjustable wing104 of FIGS. 7-10 is substantially similar to the operation of the UAV100 comprising the adjustable wing 104 of FIGS. 5-7.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, an embodiment of the coaxialcounter-rotating rotor system 200 is shown in greater detail. Mostgenerally, the rotor system 200 comprises a first blade assembly 202that is driven by an inner shaft 204 and a second blade assembly 206that is driven by a tubular shaft 208 that receives the inner shaft 204therethrough. The inner shaft 204 is driven by a first gear 210 that isdriven by a geared connection (not shown) to the inner drive motor 122.The tubular shaft 208 is driven by a second gear 212 that is driven by ageared connection (not shown) to the outer drive motor 124.

The first gear 210 is fixed to the inner shaft 204 and an end of theinner shaft 204 extends out through the first gear 210. The other end ofthe inner shaft 204 extends out through the tubular shaft 208 and isreceived within a block key driver 214. The block key driver 214comprises set screw tubes 216 configured to receive set screws thereinand to allow tightening of set screws to affix the block key driver 214to the inner shaft 204. The inner shaft 204 is received within a mounthole 218 of the block key driver 214. The block key driver 214 furthercomprises a neck 220 connected to a block key 222. The block key 222 issubstantially box-shaped and comprises a box hole 224. The rotor system200 further comprises a box receiver tube 226 that comprises a receiverhole 228 that is shaped to complement the block key 222 and to receivethe block key 222 therein. When the block key 222 is inserted into thereceiver hole 228, a set screw can be applied through a set screw hole230 of the box receiver tube 226 outer wall and into the box hole 224.The box receiver tube 226 is received into a hub hole 232 of the firstblade assembly and is fixed relative to the hub hole 232. In operation,the inner drive motor 122 is configured to drive the first gear 210, theinner shaft 204, the block key driver 214, the box receiver tube 226,and the first blade assembly 202 angularly about an axis of rotation 234and independent of rotation of the tubular shaft 208 and/or the secondblade assembly 206.

The gear 212 is fixed to the tubular shaft 208 and an end of the tubularshaft extends out through the second blade assembly 206. The rotorsystem 200 comprises a swashplate 236 comprising a non-rotating outerring 238 and a rotating inner ring 240. The non-rotating outer ring 238comprises a plurality of control arms 242 that are configured forattachment to servo motors and/or linear actuators via additionallinkages (not shown). Like other swashplates, the swashplate 236 isconfigured to allow cocking of the swashplate 236 relative to the axisof rotation 234 and relative to the tubular shaft 208. As the swashplate236 is selectively cocked as a whole, the non-rotating outer ring 238remains substantially angularly locked while the rotating inner ring 240angularly rotates along with the tubular shaft 208. The rotating innerring 240 comprises link pegs 244 that are received within first linkhole 246 of a substantially dog-bone shaped link 248. A drive interface250 is secured to the tubular shaft 208 above the swashplate 236 andcomprises lateral drive tubes 252 extending from a drive tube 254 thatreceives the tubular shaft 208 therethrough.

A tubular swivel hat 256 is provided above the drive tube 254. In thisembodiment, the drive tube 254 (including the lateral drive tubes 252)is received within the tubular swivel hat 256 so that a shared lateralaxis of the lateral drive tubes 252 aligns with lateral pin holes 258formed in the tubular swivel hat 256. When a pin is inserted through thelateral pin holes 258 and the lateral drive tubes 252, the tubularswivel hat 256 is locked in angular rotation with the tubular shaft 208but is allowed to rotate about the pin (not shown) that extends throughthe lateral pin holes 258 and the lateral drive tubes 252. Because thetubular swivel hat 256 comprises a hub insert 260 that is receivedwithin a hub hole 262 of the second blade assembly 206, the second bladeassembly 206 is free to swivel about the pin (not shown) that extendsthrough the lateral pin holes 258 and the lateral drive tubes 252.However, the tubular swivel hat 256 is not simply free to swivel aboutthe above-described pin (not shown). Instead, the tubular swivel hat 256comprises hat control arms 264 that are received within second linkholes 266 of the links 248, thereby restricting the swiveling action tothe movement caused by cocking the swashplate 236 relative to the axisof rotation 234. The cocking movement of the swashplate 236 istransferred to the tubular swivel hat 256 via the links 248 and thelinks 248 extend through link slots 268 in the drive interface 250.

The above-described rotor system 200 allows the first blade assembly 202to be driven independent of the second blade assembly. In thisembodiment, the first blade assembly 202 is driven in acounter-clockwise direction and the second blade assembly is driven in aclockwise direction when viewing from the front. As such, thecounter-rotation of the blade assemblies 202, 206 prevents wholesalerotation of the UAV 100 without the use of a tail rotor or otheranti-torque system and/or device. In this embodiment, when the UAV 100is in the helicopter mode of operation, changes in the relative speed ofthe first blade assembly 202 and the second blade assembly 206 canproduce changes in yaw positioning of the UAV 100. However, when the UAV100 is in the airplane mode of operation, changes in the relative speedof the first blade assembly 202 and the second blade assembly 206 canproduce changes in roll positioning of the UAV 100.

Further, by connecting the control arms 242 to actuators, servos, and/orother push-pull devices, the entirety of the second blade assembly 206can be cocked relative to the axis of rotation 234 while the first bladeassembly 202 remains unchanged and in a fixed and uncocked orientationrelative to the axis of rotation 234. In some embodiments, byselectively cocking the swashplate 236, the UAV 100 can selectivelyprovide thrust vectoring to obtain lateral movement while the UAV 100 isin helicopter mode. Similarly, while the UAV 100 is in airplane mode,cocking the swashplate 236 can provide selective thrust vectoring toalter a path of the UAV 100.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the rotor system 200 is shown with the secondblade assembly 206 cocked about the axis of rotation 234 by a cockingangle 235 by about 5 degrees relative to the uncocked second bladeassembly 206 position shown in broken lines. In operation while thefirst blade assembly 202 rotates in a first direction about the axis ofrotation 234 and the second blade assembly 206 rotates in a seconddirection about the axis of rotation 234 opposite the first direction,the second blade assembly 206 can be selectively cocked to provide adesired thrust vector 237 that is not parallel to the axis of rotation234. When the UAV 100 is in the helicopter mode of operation, the thrustvector 237 can contribute to moving the UAV 100 in lateral directionsand/or to overcoming wind and/or wind gusts that may otherwiseundesirably move the UAV 100 for a desired geographical location. Whenthe UAV 100 is in the airplane mode of operation, the second bladeassembly 206 can be cocked to turn the UAV 100, change an altitude ofthe UAV 100 and/or combinations thereof. By controlling the cocking ofthe second blade assembly 206, independently controlling the speeds ofthe blade assemblies 202, 206, controlling the adjustable wings 104, andcontrolling the movable tail extensions 106, the UAV 100 can maneuverand fly in a variety of positions.

In this embodiment, the UAV 100 comprises a total weight of about 150grams or less, but the systems and methods disclosed herein can beutilized with larger UAVs and/or any other aircraft. Further, while theUAV 100 is shown as comprising an uncockable outer, distal, or end bladeassembly, in alternative embodiments, it is contemplated that a UAVsubstantially similar to the UAV 100 can be provided that comprises acockable outer, distal, or end blade assembly in addition to or insteadof the cockable inner, proximal, or inner blade assembly.

At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations,and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of theembodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art arewithin the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that resultfrom combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of theembodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Wherenumerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such expressranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative rangesor limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly statedranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4,etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example,whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, RI, and an upper limit,R_(u), is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specificallydisclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range arespecifically disclosed: R=R_(l)+k*(R_(u)−R_(l)), wherein k is a variableranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e.,k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . 50percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 97percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numericalrange defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is alsospecifically disclosed. Use of the term “optionally” with respect to anyelement of a claim means that the element is required, or alternatively,the element is not required, both alternatives being within the scope ofthe claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and havingshould be understood to provide support for narrower terms such asconsisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantiallyof. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by thedescription set out above but is defined by the claims that follow, thatscope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into thespecification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), comprising: afuselage; a rotor system; and a wing configured for selectivepositioning during flight of the UAV to a fully deployed position, afully stowed position, and to positions between the fully deployedposition and the fully stowed position.
 2. The UAV of claim 1, the wingcomprising: a leading arm carried by the fuselage and movable relativeto the fuselage.
 3. The UAV of claim 2, wherein the leading arm isrotatable relative to the fuselage.
 4. The UAV of claim 3, the wingfurther comprising: a flexible wing skin at least partially carried bythe leading arm.
 5. The UAV of claim 4, wherein the flexible wing skincomprises a sack-like structure and wherein the leading arm is disposedwithin the flexible wing skin.
 6. The UAV of claim 3, the wing furthercomprising: an extension arm carried by the leading arm, wherein theextension arm is movably connected to the leading arm.
 7. The UAV ofclaim 3, the wing further comprising: a spar carried by the fuselage andmovable relative to the fuselage.
 8. The UAV of claim 7, wherein thespar is rotatable relative to the fuselage about a same axis of rotationabout which the leading arm is rotatable relative to the fuselage. 9.The UAV of claim 3, wherein the flexible wing skin comprises latex ornatural rubber.
 10. The UAV of claim 3, wherein the leading arm isspring biased toward at least one of a fully deployed position, a fullystowed position, and a position between the fully deployed position andthe fully stowed position.
 11. A method of operating an Unmanned AerialVehicle (UAV), comprising: providing a UAV with a wing configured forselective positioning during flight of the UAV to a fully deployedposition, a fully stowed position, and to positions between the fullydeployed position and the fully stowed position.
 12. The method of claim11, further comprising: launching the UAV with the wing in a fullydeployed position; operating the UAV in an airplane mode of operation;and while flying the UAV, moving the wing from the fully deployedposition toward a fully stowed position.
 13. The method of claim 12,further comprising: operating the UAV in a helicopter mode of operationwhile the wing is not fully deployed.
 14. The method of claim 11,further comprising: launching the UAV with the wing in at least one ofthe fully stowed position and a position between the fully deployedposition and the fully stowed position; operating the UAV in ahelicopter mode of operation; and while flying the UAV, moving the wingfrom the at least one of the fully stowed position and a positionbetween the fully deployed position and the fully stowed position towardthe fully deployed position.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: operating the UAV in an airplane mode of operation while thewing is in at least one of the fully deployed position and a positionbetween the fully deployed position and the fully stowed position.
 16. Amethod of operating an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), comprising:providing a UAV with a wing configured for selective positioning duringflight of the UAV to a fully deployed position, a fully stowed position,and to positions between the fully deployed position and the fullystowed position; launching the UAV at a first geographic location;operating the UAV in an airplane mode of operation to move the UAV fromthe first geographic location to a second geographic location; andduring flight of the UAV, changing a position of the wing and operatingthe UAV in a helicopter mode of operation to hover near the secondgeographic location.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:performing an operation associated with a payload of the UAV whilehovering near the second geographic location.
 18. The method of claim17, further comprising: during flight of the UAV, changing a position ofthe wing and operating the UAV in the airplane mode of operation to movethe UAV from the second geographic location to a third geographiclocation.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the third geographiclocation is the same as the first geographic location.
 20. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the wing is in a fully deployed position during atleast a portion of flight in the airplane mode of operation and whereinthe wing is in a fully stowed position during at least a portion offlight in the helicopter mode of operation.